Unwanted Crows forward Tyson Stengle had his contract terminated by Adelaide after a series of off-field indiscretions, returning to play at SANFL side Woodville-West Torrens in 2021.
The 22-year-old played 14 games for the Crows over two seasons after leaving Richmond in 2018.
With a promising run of SANFL form, there are already some Victorian clubs that have shown interest in recruiting the young forward.
Here are five suitable landing spots for clubs that could do with an extra small forward.
Geelong list manager Stephen Wells - speaking to SEN - said the Cats are interested in Stengle.
"We think he's had a terrific period with Woodville-West Torrens, in a premiership team," he said.
"We do have some interest in Tyson. We haven't committed to him yet, it's not just us who want him.
"He'll have to make that decision himself."
The Cats will need to have one eye on the future, while also remaining a premiership chance in 2022. Tyson Stengle looks set to help achieve both goals by slotting into a small forward line that has an ageing Luke Daulhaus and Gary Rohan.
Tyson Stengle holds a close bond to Eddie Betts, who has just joined the Geelong coaching staff.
Essendon would be a tremendous opportunity for Stengle to get another go at AFL level by filling the void of small forwards at the Bombers.
Reporter Cal Twomey, via AFL Trade Radio, confirmed Essendon's early interest.
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“Essendon, as I understand, is another club who will be looking at Tyson Stengle. That makes sense too," he said.
“You look at the Essendon list, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was in career-best form for the first half of the season, dropped away, there’s not another pure small forward on that list.
“There’s obviously great confidence that he’ll get back to his best, but they still need some back-up and some smarts around there."
The Bombers are keen to add to their impressive campaign of 2021, which saw Ben Rutten's side finish in the September action.
Given Stengle's status as a 'free' option, it would be remiss for the Suns to ignore a potential low-risk recruit.
The club has struggled to retain players and is not often in a favourable financial position, easing the process of making a play for Stengle.
Stengle would inject flare into a forward lineup alongside Izak Rankine, Ben Ainsworth and Alex Sexton.
Rankine, Ainsworth and Sexton kicked 49 goals between them this year, just two goals ahead of Ben King's season tally.
Another 10 to 15 goals from Stengle begs to make a measurable difference.
Reigning premiers Melbourne have a primed squad at the moment in all areas, and would seek to make modest changes.
As premiers, Melbourne will receive a less favourable draft period, given the equalisation policies of the league.
Picking up Stengle as a free agent would be a cheap way to make the most of the situation, in the same fashion Luke Dunstan landed a two-year deal with the Dees.
Their small forward stocks would only be stronger if Stengle joined the likes of Kysaiah Pickett, Alex Neal-Bullen and Bayley Fritsch.
Fritsch was Melbourne's leading goalkicker this season, finishing with 59 goals, with six of them coming in the Grand Final.
Pickett kicked 40, while Alex Neal-Bullen kicked 15. It'd be a frightening prospect if you add a few Stengle goals to the mix.
As the injury-prone Jamie Elliot nears the end of his career, the Collingwood small forward set-up will need a jolt.
Jordan De Goey is spending more and more time in the midfield, leaving potential room up the ground.
After a big off-field season with Eddie McGuire and Nathan Buckley resigning, and the appointment new head coach Craig McRae, the Magpies will arguably look for bargain trade options this off-season.
Collingwood has already shown early interest in cheaper forward pickups, having secured the first trade of the off-season by offering pick 41 to Geelong in exchange for pick 55 and key forward Nathan Kreuger.
A better stocked forward line could even leave other forwards with the freedom to try their hand at other roles, bolstering the Magpies' versatility.